Cole Cassels proving he’s rougher around the edges than dad Andrew

‘I like to stick up for my teammates’ says feisty prospect

Vancouver Canuck prospect Cole Cassels at morning practice at the South Okanagan Event Centre in Penticton.

Photograph by: Ward Perrin
, PNG

PENTICTON — With six penalty minutes in two games, Vancouver Canuck prospect Cole Cassels is proving the scouting report on him is an accurate one: he’s nothing like his dad Andrew when it comes to rugged play.

The elder Cassels was a pure passer and setup man. The words ‘feisty’ and ‘Andrew Cassels’ never appeared in the same sentence. Cole? His nose is in every corner of the rink.

“I like the rough stuff,” Cole, 18, said following a practice Saturday at the South Okanagan Events Centre. “I like to stick up for my teammates. I like to battle for pucks and finish my checks and just play an all-around two-way game. I think my hockey sense is a big trait of mine but so is my compete level.”

Andrew Cassels played three seasons for the Canucks from 1999-2002. It was just a portion of his six-team, 15-year career in which he collected 204 goals and 528 assists. Cole, born in Hartford in 1995, was the Canucks’ third-round pick (85th overall) in last June’s NHL entry draft. He was just a pipsqueak when Andrew played for the Canucks but he was able to recall Saturday some moments of his life in Vancouver.

“I went to Cypress Park school, I think, in West Van,” he said. “Mostly I just remember going to the rink, going on the ice after practice and stuff, and watching my dad play all the time.”

Cole Cassels and his fellow Canuck prospects have a win and a loss at the Young Stars tournament here and they’ll return to game action Sunday in a 2 p.m. matinee against the Edmonton Oiler rookies. Some of the Canuck prospects will be promoted to Vancouver’s main camp that begins Wednesday at Rogers Arena.

Like his dad, Cole is a centreman, although he shoots right and Andrew shot left. He also learned much of the game from his dad, who coached him in youth hockey in Columbus through peewee, bantam and first-year midget. Cole later moved on to the OHL’s Oshawa Generals where he was scouted and drafted by the Canucks. Cole had 43 points and 61 penalty minutes for the Generals last season.

In his first prospect game here, he played on an energy-checking line during a 3-2 victory over the San Jose rookies. In his second, he skated on an offensive unit with wingers Niklas Jensen and Cain Franson. He also earned an assist on Frank Corrado’s power play goal in the 4-1 loss Friday to Calgary.

The Canuck prospects are being coached in Penticton by the staff of the Utica Comets, the organization’s new farm team in upstate New York. Assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner said Cassels has been noticed.

“Cole is a pretty well-rounded player,” commented Baumgartner, a former defenceman. “I think his best asset is that he looks like he’s pretty smart and can think the game. As coaches, we like to see that in a young guy. It’s only going to help him in his career. And he definitely plays with a little bit of a grease, which is also nice to see. He battles every night.”

Because he is only 18, and has two years of junior eligibility remaining, Cassels will eventually be sent back to the Generals to continue his development there. He’s listed at 6-0 and 178 pounds and will have to get stronger as he works his way toward the professional ranks.

Right now, his immediate goal is to perform well enough in the remainder of the Young Stars tourney to earn a promotion to main camp. Roster moves are expected to be made Monday following the tournament’s conclusion.

“I would like to get to main camp and have the opportunity to experience that,” Cassels said. “I thought I played well in the first two games but I’m not satisfied with it. There is always room for improvement.”

ICE CHIPS: The Canucks didn’t release Saturday their lineup for Sunday’s game against the Oilers, although goalie Mathieu Corbeil, a 21-year-old who spent last season with the Missouri Mavericks of the Central League, is expected to get the start. Corbeil, from Montreal, played junior for Halifax and Saint John of the Quebec League and was originally drafted into the NHL by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the fourth round in 2010.

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.